inking of those poor
people.

THE PRESIDENT [_brushing his gown_] What poor people? The late
prisoners? But after all, they are acquitted. What more do you want? To
provide them with an income?

VAGRET. They are acquitted, true; but they are condemned, all the same.
They are sentenced to misery for life.

THE PRESIDENT. What are you talking about?

VAGRET. And through your fault, Monsieur.

THE PRESIDENT [_stopping in his task of folding his gown_] My fault!

VAGRET. And what is so particularly serious is that you didn't know it,
you didn't see, you haven't seen the harm you did.

THE PRESIDENT. What harm? I have done no harm! I?

VAGRET. When you informed Etchepare that his wife had long ago been
condemned for receiving stolen goods, and that she had been seduced
before his marriage with her. When you did that you did a wicked thing.

THE PRESIDENT. You are a Don Quixote. Do you suppose Etchepare didn't
know all that?

VAGRET. If you had noticed his emotion when his wife, on your asking her
if the facts were correct, replied that they were, you would be certain,
as I am, that he knew nothing.

THE PRESIDENT [_packing his gown in its box_] Well, even so! You
attribute to people of that sort susceptibilities which they don't
possess.

VAGRET. Your honor, "people of that sort" have hearts, just as you and I
have.

THE PRESIDENT. Admitted. Didn't my duty force me to do as I did?

VAGRET. I know nothing about that.

THE PRESIDENT [_still in shirt sleeves_] It's the law that is guilty,
then, eh? Yes? Well, Monsieur, if I did my duty--and I did--you are
lacking in your duty in attacking the law, whose faithful servant you
should be, the law which I, for one, am proud to represent.

VAGRET. There's no reason for your pride.

THE PRESIDENT. Monsieur!

VAGRET. It's a monstrous thing, I tell you, that one can reproach an
accused person, whether innocent or guilty, with a fault committed ten
years ago, and which has been expiated. Yes, Monsieur, it is a horrible
thing that, after punishing, the law does not pardon.

THE PRESIDENT [_who has put on his jacket and hat_] If you think the law
is bad, get it altered. Enter Parliament.

VAGRET. Alas, if I were a deputy, it is probable that I should be like
the rest; instead of thinking of such matters I should think of nothing
but calculating the probable duration of the Government.

THE PRESIDENT [_his box under his arm_] In that case--is the
doorkeeper--